In the wake of the 2019 California International Marathon, Kristina Smithe found herself reflecting on the environmental impact of large sporting events. As a participant, she noticed the staggering amount of waste generated from single-use cups at aid stations, estimating that nearly 150,000 cups had been used and discarded during the race.
Smithe, shocked by the waste and driven by the desire for a more sustainable solution, developed a reusable, lightweight silicone cup. After finalizing her design, she began testing her cups at various races in 2021.
Now, her company, Hiccup Earth, provides around 70,000 reusable cups that event organizers can rent, effectively replacing the typical single-use paper cups that often overwhelm recycling systems. Each year, billions of disposable cups contribute to waste, many of which are made of plastic or lined with materials that hinder biodegradation.
Experts like Sarah Gleeson from Project Drawdown highlight that this waste not only clutters landfills but also emits greenhouse gases during production and disposal phases. Addressing this issue, Smithe’s innovative cups offer a visible and practical path toward reducing waste in running events.
During events like the PNC Women Run the Cities race in Minneapolis, Hiccup Earth supplied thousands of runners with their flexible blue cups, helping to significantly reduce the reliance on disposable cups. In fact, Smithe estimated her company has already saved more than 902,000 disposable cups from ending up in landfills.
Smithe’s operational model includes a pick-up service for used cups, which are washed in a specialized dishwasher that uses remarkably less water than traditional household dishwashers. The message is clear: a sustainable solution does exist.
Though renting these cups may cost event organizers slightly more than using disposables, the environmental benefits far outweigh the extra expense. As cities and organizations explore innovative solutions to reduce waste—such as reusable food containers—Hiccup Earth exemplifies how businesses can take the lead.
The call to action is evident: adopting sustainable practices can make a meaningful difference in our communities, one cup at a time.
